Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 14th December 2023) below:
Pavilion Deal
It is great to hear of a deal being done which will see the Pavilion refurbished and turned from a derelict site into a cultural asset.
Since May I have worked with the Conservative Leadership of Torbay Council to get a credible restoration plan together. We started by ditching a plan, from the former Lib Dem\Independent Coalition, to waste Government funding intended for its restoration putting a large plastic tent over The Pavilion, whilst they had no plan or agreement for its long-term use. This would have made the funding gap on a long-term solution even bigger, putting in jeopardy the Pavilion’s future.
The work which followed saw Torbay Council’s Leadership focused on making clear to MDL (Who currently have a lease on the Pavilion) the time for endless talking was over and seek to identify a new tenant. As MP I worked to see if addition national funding could be secured, with the further £20m announced by the Government for Torquay in October providing a vital £2m funding boost for the emerging Pavilion plans.
The negotiations were touch and go for the last few months, with me speaking with all parties involved to help reach an agreement. When the deal was done it felt like Christmas had come early for our bay!
There are those who sniped from the sidelines having delivered little themselves during four years in power at the Town Hall. It’s easy to come up with a party-political slogan, much harder to deliver a solution. Yet now the deal is done we can look forward to the Pavilion being saved as a cultural showpiece for our bay.
Contaminated Blood
In the 1970s and 1980s over 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses through the use of contaminated blood products.
Justice for this cohort has taken far too long, with many victims having passed away leaving their loved ones to fight for justice. On 5 April 2023 the Infected Blood inquiry published its interim report on compensation. The key recommendation being a compensation scheme should be set up. Whilst some interim compensation payments have been made, the wider scheme is yet to be established.
I joined over 100 MPs in signing a Cross-Party Amendment to a Government Bill which would pave the way for compensation to be paid by setting up an organisation to administer it. The Government decided not to support it and placed a three-line whip against it, yet it was passed by just 4 votes after I joined with 22 other Conservative colleagues in voting for it.
The victims of this scandal have already waited decades for justice, it was therefore time to make a difference and I am delighted this amendment passed.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 15th December 10am till 12pm and Friday 22nd December 10am till 12pm both at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
Surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with. For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.
